Laboratory safety

Laboratories contain equipment or substances that have the potential to cause injury or diseases. We have strict health and safety requirements and guidelines to ensure that teachers, researchers and students are protected when in our laboratories.

Biohazards
are infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that present a
risk
or potential risk to the health of humans, animals or the environment.
The risk can be direct through infection or indirect through damage to
the
environment.

The Health and Safety team will inform the
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Biohazard incidents may involve a spill of material or
exposure to clinical material like a splash in the eye or a needle stick injury etc.

Security Sensitive Biological Agents

The deliberate
release of harmful biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and
toxins has the potential to cause significant damage to human health, the
environment and the Australian economy.

In 2006, the Council of Australian
Governments' (COAG) Report on the Regulation and Control of Biological Agents
identified that the regulations in place at the time focused on safety rather
than security; and that there was a need to regulate the secure storage,
possession, use and transport of security sensitive biological agents to
minimise the risk of use for terrorism or criminal purposes.

The aim of the Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA)
Regulatory Scheme is to limit the opportunities for acts of bio-terrorism or bio-crime to occur using harmful biological agents and to provide a legislative
framework for managing the security of SSBA. The scheme was developed using
risk management principles to achieve a balance between counter-terrorism
concerns and the interests of the regulated community and aims to maintain full
access to SSBA for those with a legitimate need. The SSBA Regulatory Scheme
also builds on Australia's obligations under the Biological and Toxins Weapons
Convention and UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

If you intend to use any agent on the list of SSBA, see http://www.health.gov.au/ssba#list
at the University of Newcastle you must first contact the Health and Safety
team and complete a safety review form in order to ensure that the
appropriate measures are in place for the activity to be undertaken and to
register the SSBA.

Further information about SSBA's is available from the
Department of Health website.

Chemicals and hazardous materials are used in many different ways and can include toners, cleaning products, paints, fuels, herbicides and laboratory chemicals.

There are many risks associated with the purchase, use, handling and storage of chemicals. Some chemicals have specific requirements, for example dangerous goods in large amounts require us to provide notification to WorkCover NSW.

For the specific requirements of the chemicals in your area please see the Chemical Management Procedure (PDF, 317KB).

As part of our process, all chemicals are required to be recorded in ChemWatch Gold FFX, the UoN Chemical Management Database. This database helps us manage compliance in many areas including notifications and information for emergency situations.

Chemical Spill Kits

Contact details for The University Chemical Spill Kits (PDF, 24KB) for medium to large spills, smaller kits are located in individual facilities where Hazardous Substances/Dangerous Goods are stored and handled.

Chemical Waste Collection

In order for waste to be collected from your location please follow these steps:

Ensure all your waste is stored in appropriate packaging and clearly and correctly labelled. Waste is to be stored in a safe location (e.g. flammable waste in flammable cupboard) where it does not impede walkways. Spill trays should be used to minimise the risk of spills. Risk assess waste to ensure material is segregated if required.

Clearance

All research and teaching activities involving genetically
modified organisms need safety approval before they start. If you are a teacher or a researcher please complete the Safety Review Form (PDF, 2MB). For additional information please see the Procedure (PDF, 53.1KB) for completing and submitting the form and related processes for local level review.

The form is by the Health and Safety Team and
assessed by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

Working with genetically modified organisms

Working with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be dangerous
and proper safety and controls should be in place. For more information about
working with genetically modified organisms see the Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).

Persons who come into contact with laboratory animals may
develop Laboratory Animal Allergy (LAA). Allergic reactions are more likely
after substantial or repeated exposure to the allergen, either to the animal
itself or to items contaminated with the excretions and secretions of animals
including urine, saliva, dander, fur/hair and serum. LAA may lead to serious
allergic reactions, including occupational asthma, if exposure to the allergens
continues. Up to 30% of people exposed to laboratory animals may be affected if
appropriate risk controls are not in place. Fortunately LAA can be managed if identified
early so that appropriate precautions can be put in place to allow affected persons
to continue safely with their work.

It is essential that personnel working with animals read
and understand this document and report any symptoms as early as possible.
Early detection allows management of the condition to minimise the chance of
progression to severe symptoms.

Symptoms
of LAA

Rhinitis (itching/ running nose, sneezing)

Conjunctivitis (itchy, red, watery eyes)

Skin Rashes (including urticaria (pink raised
rash) and wheals on the skin around bites and scratches)

Shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing

These symptoms may appear alone or in combination and may
occur any time.

Risk
factors

The most important risk factor is level of exposure to
the allergen. Persons with pre existing allergies or asthma may be more
at risk of developing LAA or of exacerbation of their pre existing allergies or
asthma.

Inoculation
after skin penetration by bites, scratches or sharp instruments.

Prevention

The risk of developing LAA can be reduced by minimising
exposure to laboratory animal allergens. It is essential that personnel working
within animal facilities wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and adhere to
procedures for animal and cage handling.
Procedures will vary with the type of animal facility and caging and may
include:

Reporting
Symptoms

Early detection is important to the management of this
condition. All personnel working with animals must complete the LAA
Workers' Questionnaire, initially 6 monthly (with the initial questionnaire to be
completed prior to commencing work with animals or as early as possible after
commencing work), then annually after the first year. In addition personnel should report any LAA
symptoms immediately via Incident
Reporting and contact the University Health
Service.

The University Health Service can provide valuable assistance and
guidance in managing LAA and minimising the impact of this condition on the
affected individual.

Next to this write the name of the facility and below this the School or Department,

Under PPE Required ensure a tick is visible in each of the boxes beside mandatory PPE for the facility (this is PPE to be worn at all times),

Under Contact Details list the work/onsite contact details for the Supervisor of the facility and the primary contact person (e.g. facility manager, senior staff member),

Under Special Considerations you may list any facility specific information, such as switch off mobile phone before entry, remove all metal objects before entry, facility operating hours etc.,

Finally complete the Date issued section.

If you identify that there are Dangerous Goods classes in the facility over the placarding level, please contact Health and Safety on 4921 6846 to organise stickers. Provided your ChemWatch chemical manifest data is complete you will be able to check this through the ChemWatch GoldFFX reporting tool.

Save the form, print and place it on the facility entrance door*.

*IFS will be installing A3 perspex frames on all laboratory and workshop doors. These frames will house this signage and any facility certification or registration paperwork.